Indictment expected in death of 4-month-old boy in Schenectady

SCHENECTADY, N.Y. (NEWS10) – A court appearance is scheduled on Wednesday in the death of a 4-month-old baby in Schenectady over the summer.

Heaven Puleski was arrested in August and is facing several charges in connection with her son Rayen’s death.

An indictment is expected in the case.

Few details are being released about Wednesday’s appearance.

Further details from the original story: August 15th

SCHENECTADY, N.Y. (NEWS10) – The mother of missing 4-month-old Rayen Puleski, Heaven Puleski, has been arrested and is now facing several charges in connection with her son’s death.

Rayen is said to have has a rough beginning. Sources close to this investigation say he was born inside a Saratoga County motel room.

Sources say on April 20th, Heaven, all alone, delivered her baby boy.

A tip to police is said to have lead first responders to the motel and then Heaven and her infant were both transported to an area hospital. It’s not known when mother and baby were released, or if Heaven, who family members say had a long history of drug abuse, was allowed to leave with the baby.

Fast forward to July when police say Heaven was living at a State Street apartment building. Neighbors told News10ABC the last time they recall seeing the baby was mid-July.

One month later, family members say they became anxious after a call from CPS trying to locate the baby.

According to court documents, between July 17th and July 23rd Heaven is accused of endangering the welfare of her baby by injecting herself with heroin while she was responsible for the care of Rayen. That act, according to court documents, was likely to be injurious to the welfare of the baby.

It’s still unknown how the baby died.

She’s also facing a charge of concealment of a human corpse. She’s accused of placing the baby’s body inside plastic bags and hiding it in an overgrown grassy area so it wouldn’t be found.

On Wednesday, Heaven pleaded not guilty to the endangering the welfare of a child charge. She will be arraigned on the other charges at a later time.

Assistant District Attorney Christina Tremante says although investigators are still waiting on the autopsy of a child’s body found behind the apartment building, they believe they know the fate of Rayen.

“Our presumption at this point based on the investigation is that the remains that were found were Rayen.”

Heaven has a long rap sheet and even made headlines in 2016 when she escaped police custody in Gloversville when she was picked up on a warrant during a traffic stop.

It’s unlikely she will get the same chance at freedom now while she’s locked up inside the Schenectady County Jail.

Bail was set at $20,000 cash, $40,000 bond. A preliminary hearing has been set for Monday.

Family members say they are too distraught to speak with NEWS10 ABC but say they’re holding up the best that they can.

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